Ukrainian forces have launched an attack on a major air base deep inside Crimea which is around 200km behind Russian front lines.

A fire filled mushroom cloud was clearly seen for many miles and At least 12 explosions of varying intensity was heard within a minute after the blast, two witnesses said told Reuters, they added, that three of the explosions were particularly loud, triggering sparks and smoke.

Last month Ukraine said that their forces will “pay back” Russia for “their aggression” and will sooner or later have the resources to target Crimea and the “Russian Black Sea fleet,” which is also based at Saky, Crimea.

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Saky air base is also used by Russia’s Black Sea fleet and the attack is a significant turning point in the war as it “suggests that ballistic missiles were used.”

Three locals heard several loud explosions and saw black smoke rising from the direction of a Russian military airbase at Novofedorivka in western Crimea.

Huge explosion at the military airport in Novofedorivka in Russian-occupied Crimea. About 200km (over 120 miles) from the frontline.pic.twitter.com/8POh6yNhmq

— Ostap Yarysh (@OstapYarysh) August 9, 2022

The head of occupied Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, said it is “too early” to talk about casualties, adding that medics were working on the ground.

He said, “Ambulance crews and medics are working on the spot, there are enough of them. It is too early to talk about casualties.

“Among the civilian population, no one has yet applied for medical assistance.”

Viktor Andrusiv, a political scientist and former adviser to Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, wrote on the Telegram, “As you can understand – missiles with a range of 200-300km are already in service with us and are being used in our country.

“The explosions…. today at the airfield in Novofedorivka in Crimea, are public proof of this.”

However, Russia used their usual line of “Deny” as Russian’s Defence Ministry meanwhile denied the explosions were caused as a result of missile fire from Ukraine.

He said, “Aircraft ammunition detonated at the ‘Saky’ airfield near the village of Novofedorivka at a rubble storage site.

“No one was injured as a result of the explosion. No aviation equipment at the airfield was damaged.

“Measures are being taken to extinguish the resulting fire and investigate the cause of the explosion.

“According to the report from the site, there was no fire impact on the collapsed ammunition storage area at the airfield.”

Big explosion in Crimea leading to a fire. Former advisor to the head of MIA of Ukraine saying it’s a long-range missile, but unconfirmed for now. pic.twitter.com/Z37g7l9PWv

— Dmitri (@wartranslated) August 9, 2022

Rodion Miroshnik, who goes under the title of the ambassador to Russia for the self-proclaimed and cunrecognised Luhansk People’s Republic, forwarded a message on Telegram, which featured two videos.

A message read, “Residents of Crimea report explosions near the village of Novofedorivka. The first explosion occurred at about 15:00 local time.

“There were a few more after it. Whether there are victims is unknown.”

The West have provided longer range weaponry which have the ability to destroy Russia’s Black Sea fleet and Ukrainian forces are preparing to up the ante with ferocious fighting to back Crimea.

The Kremlin was given a very clear warning by the Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Volodymyr Havrylov.

During a visit to England where thousands of his forces are being trained by the British Army he warned Moscow that they will “have to pay back for their aggression.